Hundreds severely injured in 6.9 magnitude earthquake rocks Indonesian tourist island of Lombok
Thousands of homes and buildings were damaged
A powerful earthquake flattened houses and toppled bridges on the Indonesian tourist island of Lombok, killing at least 98 people and shaking neighbouring Bali, as authorities said yesterday that rescuers still hadn't reached some devastated areas and the death toll would climb.
ADVERTISEMENT
It was the second deadly quake in a week to hit Lombok. A July 29 quake killed 16 people and damaged hundreds of houses, some of which collapsed in yesterday evening's magnitude 7.0 temblor, killing those inside.National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told a news conference that damage was "massive" in northern Lombok. In several districts, more than half the homes were destroyed or severely damaged.
Leaving thousands homeless. Pics/AFP
The ruins of a mosque that collapsed in Lading-Lading village while people prayed inside was being pulled apart by a backhoe in search of victims. Some areas still hadn't been reached as of mid-afternoon, with rescuers battling collapsed bridges, electricity and communication blackouts and damaged roads blocked with debris.
He said the death toll had risen to 98, after warning that it would "definitely increase". More than 230 people were seriously injured. Thousands of homes and buildings were damaged and 20,000 people were in temporary shelters.
20k
People in temporary shelters
230
Estimated no. of people seriously injured
2k
No. of tourists being evacuated
130
No. of aftershocks since the quake hit
Thousands of tourists evacuated
Indonesia sent rescuers fanning out across the holiday island of Lombok and evacuated more than 2,000 tourists after a powerful earthquake killed at least 98 people and damaged thousands of buildings. Najmul Akhyar, the head of North Lombok district, estimated that 80 per cent of that region was damaged.
Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
